Classic car fair: Highlights of Retro Classics Stuttgart 2023

Whether classic vehicles, youngtimers or (super) sports cars – this year's classic car fair Retro Classics Stuttgart once again made the hearts of car fans beat faster.

Every year, the classic car fair Retro Classics attracts car lovers from near and far to Stuttgart. From February 23 to 26, 2023, it was that time again: Numerous visitors flocked to the exhibition grounds at Stuttgart Airport to marvel, talk shop ... or to fulfill a long-cherished dream. With more than 82,000 visitors, the 22nd edition even recorded a record result. The reasons for this were manifold:

• 7 halls
• Oldtimers, youngtimers and current models
• Several special shows
• Private sales exchange
• Car auction

On a tour of the trade fair, we will show you the highlights of Retro Classics Stuttgart 2023. This much can be revealed: There is something for everyone!

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL: The icon

A Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé should not be missing at any trade fair for classic vehicles. The gullwing, which is well worth seeing, is probably the epitome of the classic car like no other vehicle.

Would you also like to have one in the garage? "Price on request" was the motto for the valuable piece (1956, almost 53,000 miles), which attracted attention at the HK-Engineering booth. Count on one million euros upwards.

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro – Gullwing, Part 2

While several examples of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL were on display at Retro Classics, the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro was only seen once. Not without reason: The so-called hypercar is limited to 40 units worldwide in this racing version. In the end, there will be 150 of the street-legal variant.

Even more inspiring than the data (6.5-liter V12 engine, 1,014 hp) is the aerodynamic shape, which is immediately reminiscent of a racing car. Compared to its "civilian" brother, the developers have once again enlarged the rear wing and modified the front apron. The goal is clear: maximum downforce for a damn fast lap time.

75 years of Porsche sports cars

In 1948, Ferry Porsche designed the Porsche 356 No. 1 Roadster, realizing his idea of a sports car. A milestone that the Zuffenhausen-based company celebrated 75 years later with a special show at Retro Classics.

Porsche showed several models at the trade fair that made sports car history. One of them: the Porsche 956, which was also a must on any children's Carrera track in the 1980s. The 956, together with its successor model, the 962 C, dominated endurance racing until the end of the 80s.

Ford Mustang – US classic par excellence

Even though the location of the Retro Classics near Stuttgart is expressed by the numerical superiority of Mercedes and Porsche models, US fans also get their money's worth. A popular model is ... You guessed it ... the Ford Mustang. The '67 fastback models are particularly in demand.

But there are also quite solvent buyers for the model shown here, a restored Ford Mustang Mach 1 from 1969. So there was a proud 76,000 euros on the price tag. V8, big block, 6.4 liters – welcome to American car heaven.

Citroën 2CV – the French Beetle

No, you don't have to be a big entrepreneur or multimillionaire to find something suitable at Retro Classics. How about a Citroën 2CV? Better known to many as "duck". The French counterpart to the VW Beetle enjoys great popularity in the classic car scene.

For 14,800 euros, this one could have been yours. The restored model from 1981 had a manageable 60,000 kilometers on the odometer and belongs to the special series "Charleston". With 29 hp, the duck is not considered the spawn of driving dynamics – but you are guaranteed benevolent glances on the road.

Two super sports cars in one fell swoop

Anyone who entered Hall 1 of the Retro Classics could quickly be overwhelmed by their emotions. Too many dream cars were lined up there.

Would you like an example? Let's first turn to the vehicle in front: a super-rare Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. Originally designed as a GT1 race car for the race track, the Stuttgart-based company did not miss the opportunity and built a few road versions. At over 3,000,000 DM at the time, the CLK GTR was the most expensive production car in the world at the time.

No less desirable is the car in the background, which adorned many children's rooms as a poster in the 80s and 90s. It is a Ferrari F40. It was the last model to be created under the aegis of the legendary company founder Enzo Ferrari. Biturbo V8, 478 hp, over 320 km/h top speed: What makes some people smile wearily today was unparalleled back then.

Dodge Viper RT/10 – Snake with bite

It's hard to believe, the first Dodge Viper RT/10 (from 1992) are now ready for the H license plate. But that doesn't mean that the US muscle car has lost any of its toxicity.

If you decide to buy a Viper, you should know what you are doing. Under the hood, a V10 engine is just waiting to unleash its almost 400 hp from 8 liters of displacement (!) exclusively on the rear axle. Not impressed yet? ABS and ESP were foreign words at the time. In other words, real driving skills are still required here ... otherwise the snake will bite.

Real wolf in sheep's clothing

Why are we presenting a station wagon that at first glance seems disdainful? Because the Ingolstadt family box has it thick behind the ears. Connoisseurs will have recognized it long ago: It is a sought-after Audi RS4 Avant of the first generation. Means, V6 engine, 381 hp and 440 Nm torque.

The prices for this power station wagon have risen considerably in recent years. So it is hardly surprising that this red specimen (first registration: 2000) is still worth 58,000 euros with a proud 347,200 kilometers.

Dream coupés from BMW

In addition to Porsche and Mercedes, one brand should not be missing from a classic car fair: BMW. The Munich-based company itself was represented at the Retro Classics and showed, for example, the brand-new BMW M2. The various brand clubs also presented their treasures, from the M3 Convertible to the M1.

This beautiful BMW 3.0 CSI was for sale at Scuderia Sportiva Colonia. The coupés of the E9 series are in demand, especially the top-of-the-range 3.0 CSI engine (200 hp), which is only surpassed by the 3.0 CSL. There was a simple reason why this example attracted attention: the car had only recently been restored and repainted.

Exclusive Fritz Neuser Special Show

This Ferrari 512 TR was not just any example. The good piece belongs to the Fritz Neuers collection. The Nuremberg native is considered the oldest car dealer in Germany and set an exclamation mark early on as the best Goggomobil salesman in Germany.

Later, the love for the Prancing Horse ignited and Neuser developed into one of the best-selling Ferrari dealers in Germany. In addition to the 515 TR, the special show in honour of Fritz Neuser also featured the predecessor of the 512 TR, the Ferrari Testarossa, and its successor (Ferrari 512 M).

Commercial vehicles of all kinds

Anyone who thinks that only cars can be seen at Retro Classics is mistaken. The term "classic vehicles" is broad. Fans of commercial vehicles will also get their money's worth – be it buses, trucks or tractors.

The fact that Porsche once built tractors is probably just as little known to many as the fact that the super sports car manufacturer Lamborghini also made quite a few farmers happy or even still does. This specimen probably doesn't have to toil in the field anymore – it would be a shame to lose the "special" Principessa paintwork.

VW Bulli – washed too hot?

Finally, a curiosity that made many smile. If the VW T1, better known as the original Bulli, is already the darling of the masses, this extremely shortened version also served the childish scheme. So short, small and cuddly.

We don't want to know how adventurous the handling is with such a minimal wheelbase – but we would have liked to take the little one with us anyway.